by creative_myst » 05 Jul 2015, 04:34
Here is what has been working for me: making small changes and building on them.
Start with identifying your triggers. For me, it was drinking coffee in the mornings (with milk and sugar which began sugar cravings throughout the day.
Find a healthy alternative which you find satisfying. For me, it was ginger, mint or lemon infused water and green tea. Within a three days, my sugar cravings had lessened.
Move more. I began with adding more walking and increasing my distance daily. I set a goal to 'walk' across my country (Canada) on the Transcanada Trail - 24000 km. This is a virtual walk, as I add up my daily steps and then I map my progress. I also add music to any of my routines - cleaning, gardening, walking etc., and even when I am relaxing, as this makes me move more, even if it is just tapping my foot while reading or writing. I have playlists for different activities.
Make sure you eat enough. I know this can sound counterproductive, but when we skip meals, we slow our metabolism. One of the hardest things for me was eating breakfast, but once I started, I noticed a rapid change in my cravings, my energy, and my weight loss - not to mention my health.
Fill half your plate with vegetables - a quarter grains, and a quarter protein. In fact, eat as many vegetables as you want.
Oh, and my biggest secret - not really much of a secret as I tell everyone. 
Do not let yourself feel deprived. I still crave chocolate. I love chocolate. It is my biggest weakness. Have I gotten my point across yet? I have two ways I will indulge in chocolate - first, I will buy the very best quality - high cocoa dark chocolate, I cut it into small pieces and put it in the freezer. I allow myself one piece per day - and I savour it. However, a few months after starting this, I discovered an even better solution. I take one banana, mush it up. Add the very best quality cocoa I can afford. Stir it in. And indulge. I feel absolutely decadent with this bowl of chocolate. I even feel a bit guilty about eating it, but I am only taking in about ninety calories of healthy food. It is hard to feel deprived when you are treating yourself.
Finally, water - drink lots of water. When you think you are hungry, and it is not a regular mealtime, try a glass of water instead. Most people don't realize that we will sometimes misinterpret minor dehydration as hunger. I assume it is because we have trained our brains incorrectly.
Oh, and one more thing that worked for me. I took pictures of what I ate. Sounds crazy, right? Well, as you come to read more of my posts, you will realize I am a bit off the wall, but this really worked for me. By taking pictures, I held myself accountable for what I was eating. I became mindful not only of what I put in my mouth, but I also found myself putting in the effort to make it aesthetically pleasing. This, in itself, encouraged me to eat well with a variety of colourful vegetables and also to savour my food.
Here is what has been working for me: making small changes and building on them. [list]Start with identifying your triggers. For me, it was drinking coffee in the mornings (with milk and sugar which began sugar cravings throughout the day.
Find a healthy alternative which you find satisfying. For me, it was ginger, mint or lemon infused water and green tea. Within a three days, my sugar cravings had lessened.
Move more. I began with adding more walking and increasing my distance daily. I set a goal to 'walk' across my country (Canada) on the Transcanada Trail - 24000 km. This is a virtual walk, as I add up my daily steps and then I map my progress. I also add music to any of my routines - cleaning, gardening, walking etc., and even when I am relaxing, as this makes me move more, even if it is just tapping my foot while reading or writing. I have playlists for different activities.
Make sure you eat enough. I know this can sound counterproductive, but when we skip meals, we slow our metabolism. One of the hardest things for me was eating breakfast, but once I started, I noticed a rapid change in my cravings, my energy, and my weight loss - not to mention my health.
Fill half your plate with vegetables - a quarter grains, and a quarter protein. In fact, eat as many vegetables as you want.
Oh, and my biggest secret - not really much of a secret as I tell everyone. :lol: Do not let yourself feel deprived. I still crave chocolate. I love chocolate. It is my biggest weakness. Have I gotten my point across yet? I have two ways I will indulge in chocolate - first, I will buy the very best quality - high cocoa dark chocolate, I cut it into small pieces and put it in the freezer. I allow myself one piece per day - and I savour it. However, a few months after starting this, I discovered an even better solution. I take one banana, mush it up. Add the very best quality cocoa I can afford. Stir it in. And indulge. I feel absolutely decadent with this bowl of chocolate. I even feel a bit guilty about eating it, but I am only taking in about ninety calories of healthy food. It is hard to feel deprived when you are treating yourself.
Finally, water - drink lots of water. When you think you are hungry, and it is not a regular mealtime, try a glass of water instead. Most people don't realize that we will sometimes misinterpret minor dehydration as hunger. I assume it is because we have trained our brains incorrectly.
Oh, and one more thing that worked for me. I took pictures of what I ate. Sounds crazy, right? Well, as you come to read more of my posts, you will realize I am a bit off the wall, but this really worked for me. By taking pictures, I held myself accountable for what I was eating. I became mindful not only of what I put in my mouth, but I also found myself putting in the effort to make it aesthetically pleasing. This, in itself, encouraged me to eat well with a variety of colourful vegetables and also to savour my food.
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How to Reduce the Weight?
